Abstract: A method and a climbing device for lowering a climbing rail, i.e. for climbing downwards. The climbing rail, which is placed on a climbing head by means of an upper protrusion, is lowered in that a climbing cylinder is retracted. The climbing cylinder can be spaced from the climbing rail by completely retracting the climbing cylinder at the upper end by means of a distancing device prior to extending the climbing cylinder again. Thus, the climbing cylinder can be extended again without the climbing rail engaging or hooking below the climbing head at the now central protrusion in that the distancing device moves the climbing head around the central protrusion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a climbing device (10) for lowering a climbing rail, i.e. for climbing downwards. In the method, the climbing rail, which is placed on a climbing head (18) by means of an upper protrusion, is lowered in that a climbing cylinder (20) is retracted. In particular, the climbing cylinder can be spaced from the climbing rail by completely retracting the climbing cylinder (20) at the upper end by means of a distancing device (34) prior to extending the climbing cylinder (20) again. Thus, the climbing cylinder (20) can be extended again without the climbing rail engaging or hooking below the climbing head (18) at the now central protrusion in that the distancing device (34) moves the climbing head (18) around the central protrusion.